Clinical observation of erythropoietin combined with thalidomide and cyclosporine for the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Objective To explore the efficiency of the combination of erythropoietin and thalidomide,cyclosporine in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. Methods Twenty-four patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (low -risk group,intermediate-risk groupⅠ)were treated with erythropoietin and thalidomide,cyclosporine.The dose of erythropoietin was 10 000 U,qod,ih.The dose of thalidomide was 100 mg/d.The initial dose of cyclosporine was 3 mg/(kg·d), which was adjusted according to blood concentrations after one week,was 3-6 mg/(kg·d).The efficiency after 8 and 12 weeks were evaluated.Results Sixteen cases achieved hematologic improvement response.The rat of hematologic improvement-erythroid response,hematologic improvement-neutrophil response,hematologic improvement-platelet response,was 62.5% (15/24),33.3% (6/18) and 26.7% (4/15).The major adverse effect was hepatic impairment. Conclu- sion The treatment of combination of erythropoietin,thalidomide,cyclosporine is effective and the adverse effect is ac - ceptable for the patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.